start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)
Definition of startnext
1
as in to begin
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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2
as in to commence
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

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3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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4
as in to activate
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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5
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

start

2 of 4

noun

as in beginning
the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

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starting

3 of 4

adjective

as in initial

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

starting

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of start
1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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2
as in establishing
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in activating
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commencing
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in launching
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of start
Verb
As the years pass, the children start learning to play the dusty piano that had been neglected in their abundant lives. — Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 But the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year winner has plenty of experience starting. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
Here’s a rundown of spring and summer happenings in KU’s basketball office the past five months in recognition of Monday’s official start of the 2026-27 school year. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 The Patriots are giving wide receiver Kayshon Boutte a fresh start with the Texans. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
With Julian Sayin returning to the starting lineup for Ohio State, Smith should have every opportunity to build on the previous seasons and bring home some hardware. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Even Rebecca Allen, who again entered the starting lineup with the team dealing with injuries, imposed her will, knocking down three treys as a result of the fluid offense getting the opponent out of sorts. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
The chances of all four talents starting together are increasing, however, in what will be a special moment for Barcelona and La Masia. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 The teen—who’s rumored to be starting her own beauty company—paired a cropped strapless top with a matching maxiskirt. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
  1. begin
  2. commence
  3. establish
  4. activate
  5. jump
  6. protrude
  7. beginning
  8. originate
Verb
  • That approach could help developers identify infrastructure constraints before construction begins.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Dehqani said reconstruction work began immediately after the refinery was hit during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    — Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Jet Set to the Beekman package commences with a Blade helicopter flight to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan (from eligible departure points), where a house car will then take you to the Beekman’s West Turret penthouse.
    — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • Over the following decades, thousands more made the journey, with the American Colonization Society helping to establish settlements along the West African coast.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Locating water that can be used by humans is vital to establishing any long-term lunar presence.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Marrelli can activate off the blue line, create off the rush, has a good point shot and shows instincts to hit seams as well.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sirens were accidentally activated by DuPage Public Safety Communications.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Cox Automotive reported subcompact SUV sales jumped more than 23% year over year in June, while small and midsize pickup sales rose about 12%.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • According to the report, two additional trespassing cases involved individuals jumping a boundary fence into the airport’s warehouse area.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.
    — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Many of England’s players only arrived at their club’s pre-season camps at the beginning of August, three weeks after many sides saw the bulk of their squads return.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors were shown a photo of a green body bag at the beginning of her questioning, followed by a grisly photo of his body.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • The lawsuit lists several members of the Religious Neutrality group and their religious affiliations, including two Jewish parents and a student, one Hindu parent and one Zoroastrian parent, which is a religion that originated in Iran.
    — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Air Jordan 11 Retro Pantone Released to the public in 2014, the Pantone Air Jordan 11 originated as an exclusive sample, which was showcased as part of the 2010 World Basketball Festival.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of originate

Phrases Containing start

Browse Nearby Words

star-spangled
start
started
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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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